go to your network connections (you need to let us know what OS you have because there is a difference between vista and xp. In vista it's called "manage network connections" within "network and internet"). It should be in your control panel. Right click on your disabled connection and choose...
High speed internet doesn't use a telephone cord. If you have cable at home, you can get a wireless router to use with your laptop (assuming it has a wireless card...you can make sure when you are about to buy one). You can also use a regular router. You have a cat-5 cable from the router to...